JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C –
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. - Kids ages 7-13 participated in a Professional Golfers Association Junior League though the Redbank Plantation and Wrenwoods Golf Courses here, through May and the end of July. PGA Junior League golf is a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls under the age of 13 to learn and enjoy the game of golf. Much like other recreational league sports, participants wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with their friends.
The Air Force, wanting more families active in military golf courses around the world, has funded a variety of golf programs including Get Golf Ready, Junior League and PGA Helping Our Patriots Everywhere. The programs encourage service members to participate more in golf.
The PGA Junior League stimulates interest in the game and keeps kids actively golfing. Where classic golf instruction is more like formal classroom education, the Junior League is more like a little league baseball team where children have a team built on comradery, friendship and a social atmosphere. The kids work together while competing against other youngsters in the Charleston area.
“In the past, I’ve always done some sort of junior instructional program where there are a ton of kids on the range, and I have a bunch of fun teaching them how to play golf,” said Patrick Bowman PGA Head Golf Pro at Redbank Plantation Golf Course. “To date, this has been the best golf experience of my life, working with all the kids in the PGA Junior League. I’m a little envious that this program wasn’t around when I was a kid.”
This year 21 young people from the JB community competed in five golf competitions and around 15 practices at the Redbank Plantation and the Wrenwoods golf courses. For the practice, parents were invited to come out and compete against the kids to mimic playing against other teams. A highlight of the program was the opportunity for participants to play high end golf courses such as the Country Club of Charleston and the Kiawah Island Club River Course.
“My favorite part was playing the kids on other teams in the league,” said Benjamin Smith an eight year old participant in the PGA Junior League. “Playing in a competitive matches was lots of fun, I like every course we played and the Kiawah Island course was my favorite.”
Golf is a great way to teach life lessons those of all ages. The game teaches how to manage emotions and how to get along with people. Golf is also a sport of integrity where you follow the rules by yourself; without anyone watching. This year, the PGA Championship one of golf’s major championships was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The PGA invited all the kids who participated in the PGA Junior League to attend and hang out with the pros.
To enter your child or for more information about the PGA Junior League go to PGAJLG.org or google PGA Junior league. Additionally, at JBcharlestongolf.com, look under the programs link for the PGA junior league sign up.